All language subtitles for Horizon (2024).en

In southwest Asia,

by the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea.

A little-known story of life…

…in a land steeped in history,

and landscapes shaped
through millennia.

Prepare your senses for Saudi
Arabia's wildest secrets.

Above the refreshing
waves, and under the water,

a world of wonder thrives.

Families of diverse animals live,
travel, hunt, and feed in harmony.

The Red Sea is home
to a wealth of marine life.

Nestled in its
southeastern corner,

the Farasan Islands
and their waters

are a Man and Biosphere
program by UNESCO.

This archipelago of
around 180 coral islands

is protected for its
rich biodiversity.

Hidden beneath the surface is
an abundance of marine life.

From the
smallest shoals of fish

to the majestic manta ray, whose
wingspan can exceed six meters.

Possibly one of the most
prized sightings underwater

is the magnificent whale shark,

with its delicately
spotted markings.

Despite only feeding on
plankton and small fish,

they can grow up to
12 meters in length.

Sharks, fast
and efficient hunters,

feared by some,

are also crucial to the stability
of this undersea habitat.

Turtles play an important role

in the ecological balance
of underwater life.

They feed on a
variety of sponges.

If left alone,

the sponges can slow and hinder
the growth of coral reefs.

As well, their continuous grazing
of seagrass in shallow waters

keeps it from growing rampant.

Healthy seagrass beds are important
for oxygenation and carbon reduction.

Inadvertently, the turtles' diet
promotes a healthy ocean life.

Mangrove forests
range the southwestern waters

of the Jizan region.

Mangroves are an
invaluable natural carbon sink,

sequestering more carbon per
square mile than tropical forests.

The mangroves also
help create sheltered lagoons,

and greater flamingos flock here to
the shallow waters in their hundreds

to feed and mate.

These are the largest of all flamingos,
averaging 1.1 to 1.5 meters tall.

Flamingos are omnivores,

and their diet of algae,
shrimp, and crustaceans

result in their
vibrant pink plumage.

Their method of eating is…

unique.

With their heads inverted, they
work with their bristly tongues.

The bent shape of the bill
aids in filtering the mud

and silt from their food.

In
between their meals,

flamingos make
their nests of mud.

These low mounds keep
the eggs out of the salt water

and provide slightly
cooler temperatures.

In the
colder seasons,

many of the greater flamingos
migrate to warmer climates,

from India to southern Africa.

Due to global warming and the
climatic changes on our planet,

their habitats are becoming
more and more disrupted.

They are forced to move to
more favorable habitats.

Arabian
gazelle are shy creatures.

This particular subspecies
is endemic and rare.

They graze and browse
the native plants,

adapted perfectly for surviving
in this harsh landscape.

Hunted and persecuted
for decades,

they are nervous animals,

always keeping an
eye out for danger.

The mangroves are also
home to the pink-backed pelican.

They are gregarious
and live in colonies.

Their nests are strong and
durable, often lasting years,

and are made in the safety
and security of the treetops.

The pelicans take
to the air to find their food

and scan with their
keen eyesight.

Their fishing technique is
to hunt singly or in groups.

When on the water,

they stab with their
beaks at lightning speed

to scoop up fish into their
pouch, which can expand in size.

They then let the water drain
before swallowing their prey.

With their stomachs
full and appetites met,

they return to safe roosts.

The kingdom
of Saudi Arabia

is known for its vast, rocky landscapes,
home to the world's largest sand deserts.

The oryx are Saudi's
most iconic species.

They are the symbol of the desert,
and are well adapted to live here.

Their distinctive white fur helps
them thermo-regulate their bodies

by reflecting the
harsh sunlight.

So, despite the desert regularly
reaching above 55 degrees centigrade,

these antelope are able to
maintain their body temperatures

at around 38 degrees centigrade.

Oryx are social,

and their herds range in size

from single pairs to
several dozen animals.

Outside the breeding season,

the males will often
live in bachelor herds,

or on their own,

roaming the landscape for
food, water, and shade.

Even though they are the world's
smallest species of oryx,

their tall, elegant horns are
well-proportioned for their size,

and reach lengths
of 70 centimeters.

The horns evolved to
serve two purposes.

Primarily as protection
against predators,

and secondly, for the males
to joust in courtship.

Their lives are nomadic

and their journey is endless.

Spring is the prime
season for dust sandstorms.

They are the sculptors
of the landscape,

ever-changing the
terrain over millennia.

Fast, aggressive winds build
and shape rolling dunes,

some as high as 250 meters.

Winds can reach 80
kilometers per hour,

carving even the hardest rocks.

Animals have no choice but to
take shelter until they subside.

The oryx turn their
backs and face downwind

to protect their eyes.

It's impossible
to fly during a sandstorm,

so birds land and seek
refuge amongst the rocks.

Despite their size,

desert ants are extremely
well-suited to the environment.

In their thousands,

they harvest the scattered
seeds dislodged by the storm

and take them back to
their nests underground

to stock their larder.

Surviving the
intensity of the desert

is a game of energy
conservation.

In the long periods
of time between meals,

the desert Agama
soaks up sunlight.

Cold-blooded reptiles
rely on intense heat,

retaining the warmth to last
them the cool desert nights.

In landscapes
where food is abundant,

things can be a
little more relaxed.

Living in the desert

is a challenge for all.

The gazelle cannot withstand
the sun for too long.

It is vital for
them to find shade

to prevent their bodies from overheating
and regulate at healthy levels.

The landscape is unforgiving.

In the summer, food is
scarce and hard to find.

Stamina and energy conservation are
essential to lasting in the desert.

This is the
red-necked African ostrich.

They were brought
to Saudi in 1994,

replacing the Arabian ostrich
that went extinct in 1941.

They are well-suited
for the desert,

withstanding hot temperatures

and surviving on moisture
from the plants they eat.

To aid digestion,

ostriches eat sand
and small stones

alongside their diet of seeds
and roots, insects and reptiles.

Their feathers are loose,

soft and smooth,

which can keep them
cool in the heat.

In small groups,

they range the local flora.

In the southwest
corner of Saudi Arabia

stands the Asir Mountains.

Rising over 9,000
feet above sea level,

it's the perfect vantage
spot for a bird of prey.

The griffon vulture has evolved to be
one of the world's most efficient flyers.

With their broad wingspan
of over 2.5 meters,

they can soar on thermal
updrafts with ease,

flying all day, with barely a
wing flap for prolonged periods,

to spot their next meal.

Like other vultures,

they are scavengers.

With their extremely
keen eyesight,

they can spot a carcass
from up to ten kilometers.

Despite it
being harsh and dry,

the Nubian ibex manage to scrape a
living in this challenging environment.

This beige ibex, with
its distinctive large, curved horns,

grazes and browses on
grasses and shrubs,

and although the ibex needs to drink,
they can go days without water.

High
above the dry deserts

rise the Asir Mountains.

Every day, magic happens here.

Warm moist air from the coast condenses
as it ascends to the mountaintops.

Rolling clouds and fog pass
through as the temperature drops,

providing moisture
to the local trees.

In this rough and rocky
range, junipers thrive,

even at 9,000 feet
above sea level.

But not without help.

Draped over the branches
hang curtains of bromeliads.

The trees provide a frame on
which these plants can grow,

and in return,

the bromeliads capture and
share moisture with its host.

Native to this
region are hamadryas baboons.

Their troops can consist
of as many as 100 individuals.

Together, they navigate
the rocky slopes,

ascending and descending the mountain,
depending on the season and temperature.

Baboons are omnivorous and
feed on pretty much anything,

including buckthorn, acacia, wild flowers,
birds' eggs, insects, and reptiles.

The
youngsters are playful.

This is how they develop
their social skills.

Living at these
altitudes has its advantages.

However, accidents happen.

One misstep can
result in injury.

Despite
these hardships,

like all families,
they remain together.

As the sun starts to set,
they climb to sleep in the cliffs.

With temperatures
increasing globally,

it's not only the
wildlife that suffers.

Dry, arid environments can be recipes
for disaster in warmer climates.

Wildfires are a
natural phenomena,

but are becoming more
frequent and severe

as temperatures rise and
human-induced factors increase.

Once they start, they
are hard to contain,

particularly in remote regions,

and can ruthlessly
decimate landscapes.

Vast areas of forests
can be engulfed in a matter of days,

leaving them scorched,

black and bare.

Habitats scarred,

desolate, and barren.

Charred wood and ash

is often all that remains.

Few are lucky to survive the
intense heat and harsh flames.

However, whilst unfortunate, this
is all part of a natural cycle.

The seasonal
drop in temperatures

bring heavy rain and storms,

replenishing the parched earth
and offering relief to the land.

Nutrients and
moisture are returned.

Life is given
another chance to start again,

to bounce back and thrive.

Life always finds a way.

Deeper
in the valleys,

all of nature's
ingredients come together.

The recipe for abundant life.

The result,

an oasis.

Heaven in a desert.

Just add water and
plants of all varieties.

Wildlife of all
shapes and sizes…

thrive.

Traveling
through the kingdom,

it remains clear that
water brings life.

Beneath even the shallow
waters of trickling streams,

the toad is able to
grow, hunt, and mate.

Their small lives are the
result of this delicate balance,

much needed for a strong,
healthy ecosystem.

On Shadah Mountain,

honey bees frequent
aloe plants for pollen.

This is to produce honey,

food for their colonies.

The Palestine sunbird
also visits the floral bounty.

The male is a flying gem
of iridescent colors.

Their bill is long and down-curved,
adapted to extract nectar from flowers.

Birds play a
role in forest growth,

spreading seeds as they feed.

The African gray hornbill
feast on the cacti fruit.

Paddle cactus produce
prickly pears,

and they are
nutritious to the bird.

Rüppell weavers skillfully
source grass, twigs, and roots

to thread pendulous
nests in the trees,

to lay their eggs and
raise their chicks.

Camels have long been
an integral part of the country.

Their presence here
is as ancient as ours.

The milk
produced by camels is tasty.

It's high in antioxidants,
vitamins, and minerals.

It's long played a
part of the Saudi diet.

There's an increased
effort to switch to agroecology,

a farming discipline that's
better at sustaining the land.

This technique eases the
stress on the landscape

and reduces the use of water.

Fig trees are
resilient, with deep roots,

and can survive on sparse
amounts of rainfall.

Using better farming
and cultivation practices

means we can enjoy
nature's bounty,

such as papaya and oranges,

while minimizing
damage to the planet.

If we are going to live
and survive with nature,

we must adapt and strike a balance
that sustains local ecosystems.

In Asir City,

traditional beekeeping
practices have been passed down

by generations of
farmers for centuries.

There are an estimated
4,000 beekeepers,

tending a staggering
700,000 beehives.

Our relationship
with this insect is symbiotic.

We provide them a
home to colonize,

and in return, we
harvest their honey.

Around 3,500 tons of
honey are harvested every year.

Approximately 70% of
the bees kept here

are native Apis populations.

The chameleon
lives among banana plants.

They feed on flies and insects
attracted to the sweet fruit sugars.

With opposing toes on each foot,

they are able to make a firm grasp of
the twigs and branches as they climb,

and can use their prehensile
tails as a fifth hand,

wrapping it around any shape

to anchor their position
as they move and hunt.

Their two eyes can
swivel independently,

perfect for keeping
an eye out for prey,

as well as avoiding predators.

One of Saudi
Arabia's greatest animals

is in trouble.

This is
the Arabian leopard.

Through
conservation initiatives,

the Royal Commission for Al-'Ula

aims to restore the
Arabian leopard population.

The final goal,

reintroduce the species
into the wilderness,

to the mountains of Al-'Ula.

At the
center, using CCTV,

the caretakers monitor the
leopards day and night.

Classified
as critically endangered

by the International Union for
the Conservation of Nature,

it is estimated that fewer
than 200 Arabian leopards

are left in the wild.

It's up to us

to look after these
globally threatened animals.

In the future,

we hope to see more of
these animals in the wild.

Meanwhile, it's our duty
to ensure their well-being.

This includes letting them
play to get some exercise.

These are the
fishermen of the Farasan Island.

There is no industrial
fishing here.

Fishing here is treated as a
respectful artisan practice only.

There is a collective effort to
protect the balance of species

and to not over-fish, in order
to maintain healthy stocks.

Here, men fish
with hand-thrown nets.

Afterwards, they return to
the port with their catch,

where the fish are sold
to locals on the coast.

Adult turtles
lay their eggs on the beach.

They have nested on our sandy
shores for thousands of years.

They do so at night,

in the safety of darkness.

After the eggs are laid,

they return to the water.

Once hatched,

the baby turtles instinctively
move towards the brightest light.

Usually, this would
lead them to the ocean,

as they crawl toward the
night sky spanning above.

Cities and traffic lights confuse
them and lead them astray.

These beaches have
drastically changed.

Plastic waste pollutes
the once-soft sands

and creates obstacles for the
turtles trying to reach the water.

Humans have made it harder
for them to survive,

and over the years,

fewer turtles make it
safely to the ocean.

However, our
wrongs can be righted.

In the early morning,

rangers patrol the fence
between the beach and the city.

They look for stragglers,
the survivors of the night,

and bring them to the ocean.

This small act has
saved many turtles,

but every effort must be made
to clean our beaches too.

Perhaps we should re-design
coastal city lighting

as to not mislead this
vulnerable species.

Survival should be made
easier for the innocent,

and we have the capacity
and compassion to do so.

This is just one
example of many ways

we can help wildlife return
to some form of normality.

Plastic in our
waters is a huge problem.

Turtles often confuse plastic
carrier bags for jellyfish,

and die as a result.

Deaths are also caused
by entanglement.

The short convenience of plastic

has a massively long
consequence on the environment.

Efforts have been made to
reduce plastic waste from the ocean.

Recycling, reusing,
and up-cycling

are all methods used to limit
pollution and plastic use.

In the meantime, there is a
lot of litter to clean up.

One method of
regenerating our landscape

is to plant native trees.

Mangroves are more
than a suitable answer.

They thrive in low-oxygen soil,

where slow-moving waters
allow sediments to gather.

In time, as mangrove
forests grow and spread,

local wildlife will be
encouraged to return.

Here, they can feed,
nest, and repopulate.

At King Abdullah
University for Science and Technology,

research is being done
to save the coral.

Coral is threatened
by climate change,

with increasing temperatures
causing inhospitable environments.

Artificial coral
bases are 3D-scanned,

and replicas are made.

A small number of live coral fragments
are then applied to these bases.

These small coral pieces
grow faster than larger ones,

and are quick to join
each other on the models.

They are grown further in artificially
warmer water than the sea.

This makes them tougher and more
tolerant of higher temperatures.

A whole variety are
cultivated this way

to match the over 300 coral
species of the Red Sea.

When large enough,

they are returned to the ocean and
planted amongst the dying coral.

In time, these coral
will grow to be stronger

and better suited to withstand
an element of climate change.

Additionally, they'll
provide food and shelter

for local fish populations
and marine life.

Flying above the sea, the
fish hawk, also known as the osprey,

is a resident of
the Farasan Island.

They are efficient
and exceptional hunters.

They have long legs
and large talons,

and their feet on the underside

are covered with small
spines called spicules,

which hold their catch securely.

The chicks won't fledge
until over seven weeks.

Until then, they rely on their
parents to bring food to the nest.

The birds have
evolved hooked beaks,

perfect for tearing
the flesh of a fish.

Ospreys are
known to pair for life,

and their nests, known as an eyrie,
can be used and added to year on year.

Some nests are known to be used
for over 20 years by the same pair.

The world
is not ours alone.

Whilst we benefit in many ways from
what the land and nature provides,

we must look after the planet.

For us to survive,

we must learn to live
in harmony with nature

and change our ways

in order to ensure sustained
health and well-being

for all of Earth's inhabitants.